Americorps-Do you think it's for me?

BrenSaSC2 · 07-01-2003, 06:23 PM

As many of you know, I got the full time job here at Saturn of Harrisburg so I could take time off of school to attempt to figure out what to do with my life. Don't get me wrong, this is a great job for me so I can learn more about Saturns and be involved in this atmosphere (although it does have it's downfalls). I'm still not satisfied with life. I feel like I'm missing something-HUGE. I'm a religious person, and I've done 3 missions trips through high school with a local church, and I was very involved in the youth ministry at that church with the worship band and leadership commitees. I think I'm missing something like that, but many of the programs don't offer what I want for missions. I've looked into Americorps before, but only now have I seriously considered it. There are two programs that I'm interested in: NCCC or VISTA. NCCC is basically for a younger, college-aged group-It's hands on working with disaster relief, rebuilding playgrounds, working with schools on reading and learning. VISTA is a program mostly for people who have a college degree and/or 3 or more years of work experience. They set up community programs and do outreach for communities. It's a lot more in depth, detail oriented work. I know I would enjoy both programs, but I like the VISTA program lines better. Included in both programs are money for living expenses, health insurance, college loan payback delay, and money for college (or for the VISTA program a $1200 payment at the end of the service time). I would love to do this, but I'm so scared. It's a big commitment. The NCCC program is 10 months and the VISTA program is a year. With the NCCC I would travel a lot and VISTA I would be assigned to one place I think. As for my car, with the monthly allowance, I could make my car payment, but I hate to let it sit for 10 months, unless I can bring it with me. I've always wanted to do something like this, but I'm just not sure. Gimme some advice. Should I do it?

URtalking2CRASH · 07-01-2003, 10:24 PM

Wycliff......

BrenSaSC2 · 07-01-2003, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URtalking2CRASH

Wycliff......

checking it out now...I've known abut Wycliffe through my church. A few of the missionaries from our church work for them-I'm just not sure that's exactly the type of missions work I was thinking. I'd like to do community planning-helping communities grow and become safer, friendlier-like what I'm used to living in the country. Anything to keep kids off the streets. Who knows. Maybe I was meant to do social work or something like it.

URtalking2CRASH · 07-01-2003, 11:40 PM

I believe Wycliffe does all sorts of missions work. My aunt and uncle use to be apart of Wycliffe in Guatemala. What they were doing was Translating the bible into the tribal languages and hosting sermons through a radio station, sponsored by Wycliffe. Just thought i'd throw the idea out to ya.

Kaci · 07-01-2003, 11:44 PM

Hey girl. I just read the first part of your post. But anyway, I recently volunteered at a camp who take in children and adults with special needs for a summer camp. The organization is called Easter Seals Camp. They are across the US. I only spent 3 hours there and felt so great. The kids that were there had autisim and I was observing the counselors. Anyway, the way this fits in is because the counselors were mostly from AmeriCorps and said it was the greatest thing they have ever done. They were all between 18-24 and were so cool. It was a phenomenal experience and if you do get into Americorps check out Easter Seals. And they got to take their cars and leave on the weekends. They all loved it, ALL of them. Best of luck, Kaci

jeep45238 · 07-02-2003, 03:31 AM

Bren:

From our short convorsations, Americorps definately seems like something you'd love (I've worked with them before and totally loved it).

But, only you can make that decision.

Best of luck,
Mike